Dioxin-induced changes in epididymal sperm count and spermatogenesis. 2011

Warren G Foster, and Serena Maharaj-Briceño, and Daniel G Cyr
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, ON, Canada. fosterw@mcmaster.ca

A single in utero exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on gestation day 15 decreased epididymal sperm count in adult rats and thus was used to establish a tolerable daily intake for TCDD. However, several laboratories have been unable to replicate these findings. Moreover, conflicting reports of TCDD effects on daily sperm production suggest that spermatogenesis may not be as sensitive to the adverse effects of TCDD as previously thought. We performed a PubMed search using relevant search terms linking dioxin exposure with adverse effects on reproduction and spermatogenesis. Developmental exposure to TCDD is consistently linked with decreased cauda epididymal sperm counts in animal studies, although at higher dose levels than those used in some earlier studies. However, the evidence linking in utero TCDD exposure and spermatogenesis is not convincing. Animal studies provide clear evidence of an adverse effect of in utero TCDD exposure on epididymal sperm count but do not support the conclusion that spermatogenesis is adversely affected. The mechanisms underlying decreased epididymal sperm count are unknown; however, we contest [corrected] that epididymal function is the key target for the adverse effects of TCDD.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D004822 Epididymis The convoluted cordlike structure attached to the posterior of the TESTIS. Epididymis consists of the head (caput), the body (corpus), and the tail (cauda). A network of ducts leaving the testis joins into a common epididymal tubule proper which provides the transport, storage, and maturation of SPERMATOZOA.
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072317 Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins Dibenzodioxin derivatives that contain multiple chloride atoms bound to the benzene ring structures. TCDD,Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin,2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,Chlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins,Dibenzo(b,e)(1,4)dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-,PCDD,Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins,Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxin,Polychlorodibenzo-4-dioxin,Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,Chlorinated Dibenzo p dioxins,Dibenzo-p-dioxins, Chlorinated,Dibenzo-p-dioxins, Polychlorinated,Dibenzodioxin, Polychlorinated,Dibenzodioxins, Polychlorinated,Polychlorinated Dibenzo p dioxins,Polychlorodibenzo 4 dioxin,Polychlorodibenzo p dioxin,Tetrachlorodibenzo p dioxin
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013076 Sperm Count A count of SPERM in the ejaculum, expressed as number per milliliter. Sperm Number,Count, Sperm,Counts, Sperm,Number, Sperm,Numbers, Sperm,Sperm Counts,Sperm Numbers
D013091 Spermatogenesis The process of germ cell development in the male from the primordial germ cells, through SPERMATOGONIA; SPERMATOCYTES; SPERMATIDS; to the mature haploid SPERMATOZOA. Spermatocytogenesis,Spermiogenesis
D051381 Rats The common name for the genus Rattus. Rattus,Rats, Laboratory,Rats, Norway,Rattus norvegicus,Laboratory Rat,Laboratory Rats,Norway Rat,Norway Rats,Rat,Rat, Laboratory,Rat, Norway,norvegicus, Rattus

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